(guessing that he's probably not on here as I write this...but you never know! We'll have to watch ourselves now!)

I have to say that if you have been lurking the past few months, you'll have noted my positive opinions of GDT. I was never skeptical of him...just the Studios. When I first heard that PJ was not going to direct, I was QUITE upset. Then, as the lawsuits and writer's strike and shenanigans grew worse, I resigned myself to the fact that he would not be directing...but Del Toro's name popped in my mind. I saw PL when it was out in the theaters in the fall of 2006, I believe. That film knocked me six ways to Sunday...it qas one of the great cinematic experences of my life (subtitles and all.) I grew more and more excited and as time passed, began to grow quite excited.

But I have to be honest about his latest post. Did anyone get the feeling that he felt there, that he needed to "prove" himself? I think he's been doing a lot of surfing the past few days (sounds like it), and has had time to read the posts of the vocal doubters. Thus, he poured himself out in a great little film essay. Th't's the way he usually discusses film...(the DVD commentary for his films, but esp for PL, he talks just like this. IMO, this is what a DVD commentary by Hitchcock or Kurasowa or Cocteau would be like, if they were alive and made DVD.s More's the pity they're not.) Oh, and I forgot to mention Ingmar Bergman???? (oddly enough, LOTr at its best makes me think of him.)

So his beginning to post on here is not only a sign of the great guy he is, it's great politics as well. I wonder if he wonders if we will ever get over the "wow" factor and address him with challenging questions. I have faith in him, but would you say I was presumptuous in trying to "prepare" him for the controversy that may come down the road? I am just being honest.... I happen to be a "PJ supporter" (as many are on this board), but there are others who are not. IN ANY way at all. There aren't many on this site, but I can think of other sites that would be far less merciful. (Should I direct GDT to TORC? He he)